Mantle “arrived” in 1956 when he won the Triple Crown, but the truth is that he really “arrived” when his contemporaries praised his achievements rather than his potential.

Ted Williams was one of the greatest hitters of all time. Mantle at his peak barely approached Williams as a hitter, but Williams knew how good Mantle had become.

When asked if Mantle had a chance to bat .400, Williams didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely. Mickey has everything going for him. He has the speed to beat out bunts, so they can’t play him too deep, and the power to drive it past them if they creep in on him. He hits both ways so you can’t play him in any particular field,” he said.